Nutritional system and methods for increasing longevity

Abstract

Disclosed herein are dietary formulations and methods to mimic the physiological, biochemical and gene expression effects of calorie restriction without altering dietary intake. The formulations include combinations of nutrients that have various intended functions in the body, falling into three or more of the following activities; (1) antioxidant activity; (2) inhibition of glycation damage; (3) reduction of body weight and fat; and (4) promotion of high insulin sensitivity and low blood insulin/glucose; and (5) anti-inflammatory activity.

1 . A dietary formulation comprising at least three ingredients, each of which falls within a different one of five categories of ingredients that improve longevity by mimicking at least one longevity-promoting effect of caloric restriction, wherein the categories are: 
 (a) antioxidants;    (b) anti-glycation agents;    (c) reducers of body weight or body fat;    (d) promoters of high insulin sensitivity or low blood insulin or blood glucose; and    (e) anti-inflammatory agents.    
   
   
       2 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the antioxidants are water-soluble.  
   
   
       3 . The formulation of  claim 2 , wherein the water-soluble antioxidants include one or more of Vitamin C, polyphenols, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, bioflavonoids, a source of selenium, alpha-lipoic acid, glutathione, catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin gallate, epicatechin gallate or cysteine.  
   
   
       4 . The formulation of  claim 3 , wherein the source of selenium is at least one of sodium selenite, sodium selenate or L-selenomethionine.  
   
   
       5 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the antioxidants are fat-soluble.  
   
   
       6 . The formulation of  claim 4 , wherein the fat-soluble antioxidants include one or more of Vitamin E, gamma tocopherol, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, retinal, astaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, natural mixed carotenoids, lycopene or resveratrol.  
   
   
       7 . The formulation of  claim 1 , containing fat-soluble and water-soluble antioxidants.  
   
   
       8 . The formulation of  claim 6 , wherein the antioxidants include Vitamin E, Vitamin C, natural carotenoids, a source of selenium, and lycopene.  
   
   
       9 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-glycation agents include one or more of carnosine or aminoguanidine.  
   
   
       10 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the reducers of body weight or body fat include one or more of conjugated linoleic acid, L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine, pyruvate, polyunsaturated fatty acids, medium chain fatty acids, medium chain triglycerides, or soy isoflavones and their metabolites.  
   
   
       11 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the promoters of high insulin sensitivity or low blood insulin or blood glucose include one or more of a source of chromium, cinnamon, cinnamon extract, polyphenols from cinnamon and witch hazel, coffee berry extract, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, a source of zinc, or grape seed extract.  
   
   
       12 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-inflammatory agents include one or more of a source of omega-3 fatty acids or a source of curcumin.  
   
   
       13 . The formulation of  claim 12  wherein the source of omega-3 fatty acid is at least one of alinolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, flax seed, flax oil, walnuts, canola oil, wheat germ, or fish oil.  
   
   
       14 . The formulation of  claim 12  wherein the source of curcumin is (1,7-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxypheny 1)-hepta-1,6-diene-3,5-dione; 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-hepta-1,6-diene-3,5-dione; 1,7-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-hepta-1,6-diene-3,5-dione), demethoxycurcumin, or bisdemethoxycurcumin.  
   
   
       15 . The formulation of  claim 1 , comprising at least one inhibitor of glycation damage, at least one reducer of body weight and fat; and at least one promoter of high glucose sensitivity and low blood insulin/glucose.  
   
   
       16 . The formulation of  claim 15 , further comprising at least one antioxidant.  
   
   
       17 . The formulation of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one anti-inflammatory agent.  
   
   
       18 . The formulation of  claim 1 , comprising at least one antioxidant and at least one anti-inflammatory agent.  
   
   
       19 . A composition, which is an animal feed product, a dietary supplement, or a human food product, comprising the formulation of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       20 . The composition of  claim 19 , which is an animal feed product or dietary supplement formulated for consumption by a companion animal.  
   
   
       21 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein the companion animal is a dog or cat.  
   
   
       22 . A method of increasing longevity in an animal, comprising administering to the animal on a regular basis a dietary formulation comprising at least three ingredients, each of which falls within a different one of five categories of ingredients that improve longevity by mimicking at least one longevity-promoting effect of caloric restriction, wherein the categories are: 
 (a) antioxidants;    (b) anti-glycation agents;    (c) reducers of body weight or body fat;    (d) promoters of high insulin sensitivity or low blood insulin or blood glucose; and    (e) anti-inflammatory agents, in an amount effective to increase the longevity of the animal.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the animal is a companion animal.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the animal is a dog or cat.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the dietary formulation is part of an animal feed product or a dietary supplement.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the dietary formulation is administered as part of a dietary regimen selected from: one or more times per day, one or more times per week, or one or more times per month.